Sharer Was Amgen's COO for Seven Years
Before Finally Getting Nod for the Top Spot

By

Joann S. Lublin and

Rhonda L. Rundle Staff Reporters of The Wall Street Journal

Updated Dec. 14, 1999 1:24 p.m. ET

Last year, Amgen Inc. President and Chief Operating Officer Kevin Sharer pondered giving up his quest to become the company's chief executive. He thought about going to another company that would give him a specific timetable for becoming CEO -- which Amgen's board wouldn't do.

But last week, Mr. Sharer's seven years of waiting ended when Amgen named him CEO. He will succeed 64-year-old Gordon M. Binder next May. Mr. Sharer had coveted the promotion since October 1992, when he left the telecommunications world to become...